'Shogun' rules Emmys; Who is Anna Sawai? Where have we seen Hiroyuki Sanada before?
"Shogun" is the supreme Emmys ruler.
The FX epic series featuring the power struggle of 17th-century Japanese feudal lords and a shipwrecked English sailor dominated Sunday's 76th Primetime Emmy Awards with three awards, including historic wins for best actress Anna Sawai and best actor Hiroyuki Sanada — the first Japanese actors to win an Emmy, along with best drama.
"Shogun," adapted from James Clavell's famed 1976 novel of the same name, rode into the Emmys as the warlord to watch. Disney-owned FX's most expensive and ambitious series ever entered with the top nominations haul at 25, including best drama series, first-time nominations for producer and star Sanada and Sawai, as well as two supporting actors (Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira). The limited series had already plundered the precursor Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 8, taking a 14 awards, already a record for a drama in a single season.
But what is a "Shogun," and who are the stars? Let's explore:
What is 'Shogun'? Haven't we seen it before on TV?
"Shogun" first made TV history as a landmark 1980 miniseries, also based on Clavell's book, starring Richard Chamberlain as English sailor John Blackthorne and Japanese acting icon Toshir? Mifune as Lord Toranaga. The miniseries was such a phenomenon that Chamberlain transformed into a global superstar, and American interest in Japanese culture contributed to the popularity of sushi and restaurants specializing in the dish.
FX's "Shogun" places a heavier emphasis on the Japanese point of view and characters, with the focus on embattled Lord Toranaga's (Sanada) effort to fend off his jealous rivals. The warlord's loyal ally, the mysterious Christian noblewoman Toda Marika (Sawai), serves as a translator for the shipwrecked sailor Blackthorne (Cosmo Jarvis), who becomes a useful weapon in Toranaga's arsenal.
The new series created by husband-and-wife executive producer team Rachel Kondo and Justin Marks relies heavily on carefully translated English subtitles from Japanese for the primarily Japanese ensemble cast, which includes Toranaga's competitors — notably the charismatic frenemy Lord Kashigi Yabushige (Asano) and Toranaga's chief rival Ishido Kazunari (Hira), who takes over the powerful Council of Regents.
Beautifully shot and superbly acted, the critically acclaimed "Shogun," with a 99 percent critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes, is FX’s most-watched series ever. In May, FX announced that Seasons 2 and 3 of "Shogun" were being developed, without timelines for potential release.
Who is 'Shogun' star Anna Sawai?
If you don't know Japanese New Zealander rising star Sawai, 32, then get on board.
The one-time J-pop star from the girl group Faky landed a small but kicking action role as Elle Lue in 2021's "F9." Since then, Sawai has moved to plum TV roles, including the Godzilla-opposing former science teacher Cate Randa in the Apple TV+ series "Monarch: Legacy of Monsters" and as Harvard-educated, Japan-based businesswoman Naomi in the multi-generational, Emmy-winning Apple TV+ series "Pachinko."
Toda Marika's Season 1 death limits Sawai's involvement in potential future "Shogun" seasons. The actress currently stars in "Pachinko" Season 2 (now streaming on Apple TV+), where Naomi's personal and professional relationship with work colleague Solomon (Jin Ha) is getting complicated.
Where have we seen Hiroyuki Sanada before?
Tokyo-born Sanada, 63, gained notice in the U.S. by starring in the Japanese supernatural horror film "Ring" in 1998. After appearing as Ujio alongside Tom Cruise in 2003's "The Last Samurai" and as Kenji in 2007's "Rush Hour 3," Sanada moved to the U.S. to pursue his career. He is best known for portraying the ninja Scorpion in 2021's "Mortal Kombat," a senior yakuza member in Brad Pitt's 2022 action comedy "Bullet Train." and as Koji Shimazu, manager of the Osaka branch of assassins in last year's "John Wick: Chapter 4."
Sanada served as a knowledge-rich producer on "Shogun" and will continue the role in future seasons, giving detailed instructions on everything from battle scenes to costume preparation.
"I carried the pressure of being a producer on my shoulder," Sanada told USA TODAY. "But more than that, I had happiness."
Two warlords now battle for Emmys
In an ironic twist, two "Shogun" warlords, played by revered Japanese actors Asano and Hira, vied for the same best supporting actor award.
Before taking the deliciously back-stabbing Yabushige role in "Shogun," Asano, 50, was best known to American audiences for playing the Thor-ally warrior Hogun in the Marvel Comics Universe and as God of Thunder Raiden in 2021's "Mortal Kombat."
Playing the former peasant who rules as powerful Kazunari in "Shogun" is Hira's biggest American splash. The Brown-educated actor, 50, starred as the villain Kenta in 2021's "Snake Eyes" and will portray Prime Minister Ozaki in the upcoming Marvel caper "Captain America: Brave New World."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Shogun' at Emmys: Series with Anna Sawai, Hiroyuki Sanada shine
